All talk of playing flank seemingly forgotten, Andre Esterhuizen makes his Currie Cup debut for the Sharks at inside centre against the Cheetahs this week.

The coaches have reacted to Saturday’s loss against Griquas by dropping flyhalf Fred Zeilinga – who admittedly did have a poor game – but retaining Conrad Hoffmann, who was, if anything, worse. Lionel Cronje will earn a first Sharks Currie cup start at flyhalf and form a new attacking axis with Esterhuizen. Paul Jordaan, another player who has failed to spark in recent weeks, is given a complete rest, with S’bura Sithole moving back to his best position, outside centre.

Tonderai Chavhanga returns at left wing, with Tim Swiel also earning a maiden start – at fullback – in the final change to a completely rejigged backline that sees only Hoffmann and Odwa Ndungane start in the same positions as last week. Heimar Williams and Jaco van Tonder both drop out, despite being among the less disappointing backs against Griquas.

Up front, Dale Chadwick starts at loosehead, taking over from Thomas du Toit, while Marco Wentzel comes in at lock for the injured Wiehan Hay. The loose trio is an area of rare stability, with Etienne Oosthuizen afforded another opportunity to develop at blind side flank.

On the bench, Thomas du Toit will be asked to cover both sides of the scrum – a risky move, but one necessitated by injury to Matt Stevens. Johan Meyer will cover the second row, with another debutant, Khaya Majola, handed the number 19 jersey. Majola, a product of Westville Boys High, has represented the Sharks at every age group level and will relish an opportunity to finally earn a senior cap.

It seems almost as if the coaches are in a bit of panicking mode, picking players left right and centre, in the hope of something magical to happen.

Comment 8, posted at 10.09.14 14:27:25 by KingRiaan

@robdylan (Comment 6) : Ah ok thanks for clearing it up. Would rather see swiel at FH rather than cronje.

Comment 9, posted at 10.09.14 14:27:52 by PTAShark

@PTAShark (Comment 9) : See Swiel at FH?Did you miss the Super 15?hehe

Comment 10, posted at 10.09.14 14:33:34 by BarendL

So BMH and HM have exactly the same panic buttons. Both their 9′s retain their places, while they probably contributed to the poor performances of their 10′s last week, who then got dropped as a result.

Oooookayyyy….

Comment 11, posted at 10.09.14 14:34:33 by Spirit of Rugby

finaly he is. in the middfield. wow. firts start wil not be as we wnt but give him a chance now we just need. FISHER THAT ALL.

I’m sorry, but Zeilinga has been poor this CC, it’s a fair call to drop him.

We’ve been wanting to see Esterhuizen for a while. Hope the kid lives up to potential.

Hoffman was poor, I thought Cameron was good except for his last game starting, would have brought him back with Ungerer on the bench.

I can’t see why Van Tonder wasn’t retained for at least one more game though. Swiel getting plenty of chances all over the show to prove that his acquisition, probably at the expense of Robert du Preeze, was a smart one. Lets wait and see, I’m really not so sure anymore.

Comment 13, posted at 10.09.14 14:47:02 by Letgo

@Letgo (Comment 13) : I feel for van Tonder as don’t think his game last weekend warrants his exclusion. Sure, he didn’t exactly set the stage alight, but neither did anyone else. Now they have an average FH starting at 15, at his expense? Bizarre..

Comment 14, posted at 10.09.14 14:52:47 by Another Nick

I thought it was a strange call to not start with TduToit

Comment 15, posted at 10.09.14 14:56:38 by West Indies Cricket Board

@Letgo (Comment 13) : It’s easy to see why the Sharks lose so many players.

Chopping and changing with no logical thought behind it, players leap-frogging others out of the blue just to get dropped a week later, and some players getting massive amounts of game time to prove themselves in a position while others are discarded very quickly.

Thank Jah the obsession of signing NH flyhalves seems to have abated. Although the Sharks could probably use the likes of Skullet right now.

I would also bugger off at the first opportunity if a contract with another union became a possibility.

Comment 16, posted at 10.09.14 15:00:26 by Spirit of Rugby

Wonder how long Hoffmann will be able to restrain himself this game before he just won’t be able to stop himself from putting one of his non-contestable box kick specials in

Comment 17, posted at 10.09.14 15:00:46 by Bokhoring

@West Indies Cricket Board (Comment 15) : I read somewhere that he picked up a minor injury in the game but is OK. If true then that would probably be the reason.

Comment 18, posted at 10.09.14 15:03:35 by gregkaos

@West Indies Cricket Board (Comment 15) : Without Stevens, we’re a bit light on our subs been able to making a huge impact on the game. And stupid 7 subs only rule. ergh.

Comment 19, posted at 10.09.14 15:08:23 by gregkaos

Nice to see the youngster Khaya Majola there.
Would have preferred Ungerer at 9 or on the bench.
That does look like a promising side. With quite a strong bench actually.

It does seem as though the coaches are using this very watered down Currie Cup to try new combinations and youngsters in certain positions.

Comment 20, posted at 10.09.14 15:10:11 by John Galt

@gregkaos (Comment 19) : Is there any competition in the world apart from the CC where only 7 subs allowed? Regardless it makes no sense when the RC and Super 15 allows 8.

Comment 21, posted at 10.09.14 15:10:35 by Bokhoring

@Bokhoring (Comment 21) : Yah exactly. It’s really frustrating. To think I was hoping to see even more leeway added to the CC and push the subs to 9. More rest to players, more opportunities for youngsters, and in all likelihood less injuries?

Wow! The comedy continues. Anybody losing faith in Henderson yet? Cronje at full back MAYBE (only if SP cannot get back to form) but at FH? His last game does not at all merit him lifting Fred out of FH position. This smells more like desperation than a plan. More clutching at straws if you ask me. Time to go to UKZN and ask them if we can PLEASE borrow mr John Mitchell.

Comment 24, posted at 10.09.14 15:26:11 by coolfusion

I really dont Care much for Sharks rugby right now. I’m just too tired. Can I sue someone for the pain and suffering I have had to indure all season long?

Comment 25, posted at 10.09.14 15:34:28 by JarsonX

Good changes these. Ballsy call, but very necessary:
- Zeilinga has been poor
- Jordaan needs to watch centres who know how to pass the ball
- Van Tonder loses out to SP based on experience (Swiel is a rookie starter)

Comment 26, posted at 10.09.14 15:40:24 by Big Fish

Funny… here I was thinking that Williams and T. du Toit were 2 of the better players last week.

Comment 27, posted at 10.09.14 15:41:04 by David12246

@David12246 (Comment 27) : They definitely were. But, as Rob confirmed in comments, both picked up injuries in last game. Thomas recovered enough to be on bench, Williams didn’t.

Comment 28, posted at 10.09.14 15:48:45 by gregkaos

Okay, so now players are being rotated and we call it bad selections. I think we would be happy that they are trying new combinations, although we may not agree with all of them.

Rob should really be more dilligent with his backround checks before he allows people to post here . . .

Comment 43, posted at 10.09.14 22:42:35 by Original Pierre

All we can do is hope and pray! GO SHARKS!!!

Comment 44, posted at 11.09.14 02:52:47 by [email protected]

@vanmartin (Comment 42) : Kakaka! I was thinking the exact same thing!!

Comment 45, posted at 11.09.14 05:28:00 by pastorshark

Im not expecting miracles with these changes but i would hope to see a much hungrier team with these players given a chance. There is def some panic from the coaches but i think its justified as they would have placed a lot of faith in guys like Zelinga, Jordaan and Marais that have all been very poor this year. Will be interestign to see how Cronje, Esterhuizen and Sithole combine. Hopefully they can get good quick ball. I fully understand playing DuToit off the bench, he is young and needs to be managed well. Glad to see Khaya Majola get a run, he has been very good in club games this year

Comment 46, posted at 11.09.14 08:55:45 by SheldonK

@Justin Koelman (Comment 41) : Gay, running or kicking rugby – just execute it properly and we will be a lot happier.

Comment 47, posted at 11.09.14 09:00:31 by Salmonoid the Subtle

@vanmartin (Comment 42) : The problem with addressing WP supporters as such is that they then fall in love with you and you just cant get rid of them then.

@SheldonK (Comment 46) : I just want an agreement from Hoffmann to keep his stupid box kicks for the B field after the game.

Comment 50, posted at 11.09.14 09:04:48 by Bokhoring

@Bokhoring (Comment 50) : I do agree. U kno there is those classic CC finals game son tv and i watched the 2011 final when the Lions klapepd us. Hoffman started that game and actually did very well giving good quick and clean ball. he also hardly box kicked and allowed the flyhalf (Michalak) and fullback (Lambie) to do the kicking

A judiciously used accurate box kick can put your team in a better position. I have a beef with the overuse of inaccurate box kicks that just hands position over – especially when you need to score to win a game.

Comment 52, posted at 11.09.14 09:34:39 by Bokhoring

@Bokhoring (Comment 52) : no i fully agree. but also box kicks must be the norm but rather the exception or its too predictable. im still of the old school opinion that scrumhalves sole job should be to clear the ball quick and efficiently from scrums and rucks etc. The flyhalf etc are there to be the decision and play makers

Comment 53, posted at 11.09.14 09:58:40 by SheldonK

@SheldonK (Comment 53) : I like that school…the old one about scrumhalves I mean!

Comment 54, posted at 11.09.14 11:14:16 by pastorshark

@SheldonK (Comment 53) : It is only old school as far as SA rugby is concerned. Most scrumhalves in NZ and Aus teams play the “old” way anyway.

Comment 55, posted at 11.09.14 11:16:16 by Bokhoring

Pretty tough on Van Tonder who was certainly not worse than some of the backs keeping their places this week.

Seems like panic has set in

Comment 56, posted at 11.09.14 11:25:06 by stevovo

@pastorshark (Comment 54) : @Bokhoring (Comment 55) : So then why is it an SA thing for our scrumhlaves to be the play makers? And we then complain that our flyhalves dont direct play…well its tough to when they not sure if they ever getting the ball